Vladimir Putin chairs Winter Universiade 2019 meeting in Krasnoyarsk

Russian President and other leaders met with the FC Totem Krasnoyarsk junior hockey team during their visit in Krasnoyarsk

KRASNOYARSK — Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a working visit to Krasnoyarsk on 7 February to see the preparations underway for the first Winter Universiade on Russia soil. Mr. Putin was joined by Federal ministers, the Acting Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Alexander Uss, and the heads of several large regional industrial enterprises.

During the meeting, the Russian President pointed out that, in general, he views the preparations for the Winter Universiade 2019 positively and on-track. “We have seen some of the venues and I am glad that a lot has already been done,” Mr. Putin said. “We all know our common goal — to stage a fantastic and unforgettable celebration of student sports. We have successful experience in this area.”

As a part of the visit, the Russian President inspected venues of the forthcoming Universiade, including the multifunctional sports complex “Sopka.” Mr. Putin also toured the 2019 Winter Universiade sports hall, acrobatics hall, restorative medicine center rooms and signed a picture of running husky dogs.

During a tour of a hockey arena, the Russian President joined up with FC Totem Krasnoyarsk hockey players at the ice rink while they were training, and then later met with junior team members afterwards.

 An important delegation led by Russian President Vladimir Putin during their visit to Krasnoyarsk in anticipation to Winter Universiade 2019 

Established in 2003 and boasting an enrolment of over 100 football players of different ages including children from Krasnoyarsk Orphanage No 1, FC Totem plays an important part in Krasnoyarsk’s sport and community development. Several times since 2011, the team has been among the winners of the World Cup championships for  children from orphanages and boarding schools.

Following the visit to Krasnoyarsk, Vladimir Putin emphasised that the final stage of preparation for the Games will be the most difficult. “What we are talking about today is a large international sports event,” Mr. Putin said. “We have always prepared such events at very high and dignified level, leaving a legacy of such events for people who live in this or that region, in this case in Krasnoyarsk. We should keep in mind that the final stage is the most difficult. Therefore, we should concentrate our attention, efforts, organisation and interaction here. I hope for it very much.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin during the visit to the Sopka sports venue 

About the Krasnoyarsk Winter Universiade venues: A total of 34 sports, transport and medical venues are being prepared for the first Winter Universiade in Russia.

“Sopka” Multifunctional Sports Complex is one of the venues belonging to the cluster of Winter Sports Academy. During the 2019 Winter Universiade, this area will host competitions in snowboard and freestyle skiing. The cluster also comprises the Halfpipe complex, the Alpine and Freestyle skiing complexes, the “Snezhny” Sports and Training Block, “Freestyle” Administrative and Training Block, and the “Gorny” Sports and Training Block.

Platinum Arena Krasnoyarsk will host the Winter Universiade’s opening and closing ceremonies, and the figure skating competitions. The arena complex has rooms for choreography and strength training, facilities for athletes, referees, coaches, as well as medical and administrative offices. A distinctive feature of the building is its versatility. Thanks to innovative construction technologies, the sports complex can be transformed into a concert hall or a spacious exhibition venue in just a few hours.

For the 29th Winter Universiade, Krasnoyarsk looks set to welcome the world’s best university student athletes to “real winter”